As rodeo season approaches, many people look forward to the festivities, music, and food — and wearing cowboy boots. However, long days on your feet can pose challenges if you are not used to wearing boots for extended periods.
Dr. Andrew Friedmann, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist, emphasizes the importance of proper fit when choosing boots. “Cowboys have been wearing boots forever,” he says. “That said, some of today’s more fashionable or formal boots present some challenges for your feet — especially if you’re wearing boots for a long period of time or your feet aren’t used to them.”
One key consideration is the toe box. Dr. Friedmann notes that narrow toe boxes, which are common in dressier boot styles, can cause pressure and lead to soreness or swelling after prolonged wear. He suggests alternating between pairs with different fits or opting for wider toe boxes if planning to be on your feet all day.
For those attending events over multiple days, rotating between different boot styles can help prevent repetitive stress on the same areas of the foot. “If you have a couple of pairs of boots, try to wear a different style one day, then a different style the next,” Dr. Friedmann suggests. “Just to give your feet a different view of boots.”
Concerns about long-term damage from frequent boot-wearing may be unfounded. According to Dr. Friedmann: “You’re not going to do any long‑lasting damage to your feet by wearing them,” he says.
After spending hours in boots, Dr. Friedmann recommends stretching the Achilles tendon, performing range-of-motion exercises for the feet, switching into tennis shoes once home, and elevating swollen feet as needed.
“I love boots. I wear them, especially when I go to the rodeo,” adds Dr. Friedmann.
He encourages enjoying rodeo season while being mindful of comfort and foot health by paying attention to fit and varying footwear choices.
